Chapter 6
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When Ami awoke, she was in the cave. There was a fire closeby, and she was covered in her deer furs. When she attempted to move, she moaned. Her side hurt, and looking she saw crude stitches where her gash had been. For one moment she worried something was actually missing from within, but she realized he had merely dressed her wound as best as he could.
He fixed me? She had to chuckle to herself. There was even some of that yellow disinfectant stuff on it...he had gone so far as to try and sterilize it. Where he got it from, she had no idea, but his knowledge of things still amazed her every day.
Within moments, however, the memory of her rape came back to her mind, and she fought back tears of her own inner rage. Those scumsucking bastards. They only made her vision of men and her past experiences worse than ever. Anyone who could do such a thing to another helpless human being didn't even deserve to be called human. Ruddy and George. What was happening to them now? Did the heradus kill them yet? Had he already tortured them as she knew he would?
You are awake.
The voice caused Ami to look behind her but she saw no one. The cave yawned into another big opening, but there were only some sparse torches and the fire to give any lighting, so she couldn't see beyond it.
You fixed me up.
I tried. You did well. Fever came, but are well now.
What did you do to them? Ami bit her lip as she awaited his answer. Her heart was pounding.
Still alive. I have skinned the one called George, he is barely breathing, but alive still. The one called Ruddy, I am experimenting on him.
Ami shuddered violently. She wasn't so sure she wanted such precise, graphic answers, but he kept speaking.
I shall eat his liver. Smells good. But I must wait, he must suffer more. I will keep him alive as long as possible. She could feel the malice, although he seemed more calm. Ami fought back revulsion. She didn't want to hear about his tortures, but she did want to know those men suffered. Although, she couldn't help but think, in the back of her mind, that maybe it was a bit too harsh even for them.
No, no. They are rapists. They didn't care when I screamed or begged. I can't feel pity for them.
Goliathus snorted in her mind. He had heard her wandering thoughts. True, little mouse, very true. I knew no mercy from humans. They shall know none from me. No one touches what is mine.
Ami sighed, turning her gaze to the fire and watching the leaping flames as they danced over the logs. You keep saying that. That humans tortured you, that they did something horrible. How is it possible, Goliathus? Where you betrayed by someone you once protected?
It took a long while, but he did respond. Yes.
Ami waited for more, but he didn't seem to have anything further to say on the matter. She pressed him gently. Tell me more about it. Was it a woman? At this cathedral you spoke of?
No, a man. Barabas. Listen... He paused, she caught a faint growl. I do not wish to talk of these things. Humans understand nothing. Why should I talk about it with a human?
Because I'm different, Goliathus.
How different? You are breeder. Had them before.
Have they been like me? Cooperating? Learning to push aside fear to actually help you in your goal? To survive? Who has done this before? You tell me. If there were other breeders, where were the results? The other heradus?
Some complied.
That's not really an answer! Where are the other heradus then?
He growled, and Ami knew it had not succeeded before. She knew...he was the only one. He had to be.
Children born...but mothers went mad. Killed children. Killed themselves. Humans are murderers...killers of everything. So I kill them. I murder. I do not care. I have no mercy.
Ami listened intently, tears resurfacing in her blue eyes. The story was truly poignant and got to her. But she also felt some great affection starting to seriously take hold in her heart, because she was starting to make sense of this strange creature. Something in the past had changed him...caused him to lose all faith in humanity and turn on them.
But that meant that at some point, he had once protected and lived amongst humans. Somewhere, there had been a betrayal.
Barabas. She had a new name now.
The fire was very pleasing. As Ami sat curled close to it, wrapped in furs and her wound throbbing but tolerable, she thought of Barabas...who he was, what position he held if any...a bishop maybe? It was a cathedral, he might have been some kind of holy man...but how and why would any holy man employ the services of a creature like that? How did they even know of Goliathus' existence? How did he come to...geh. So many questions. So many...and so little answers.
Ami sighed and wrapped her arms about her knees, pulling up some of the furs as they fell down her sides. Silence reigned...if the Creeper was still torturing the rapists she couldn't hear it...and was very grateful for that fact. She listened intently to the gentle crackling of the fire and then fell into sleep...a peaceful, much welcomed sleep after so much fear and misery.
/
The days seemed to flow together, one day creeping into the next. Ami left the cave eventually after she'd healed enough and finished fixing up the house as best she could. It took some time but she was able to make it cozy enough using her idea of the thick deer furs for doors, which worked pretty well. Goliathus also was true to his word and finally got around to building a bed for her. He literally fashioned it from trees he pushed down himself, and used a wicked looking axe to cut the pieces. After that he spent a few good hours one night putting it together. The mattress was nothing more than some torn sheets stuffed with hay and grasses and crudely stitched, but it was better than a pile of rank clothes. As it got colder and closer to winter, Ami was exceedingly glad for her fireplace, as well. When it got too bitter though, she went to the cave, walking far back into its recesses, and staying near her captor's fires which kept her warm. The fear of him was getting less, although he still made conversation difficult and refused to answer further questions of his past. Ami did all she could to make the best of the situation. As time went on, she sometimes got stir-crazy and found herself longing for his company more and more. She'd sit outside on the fallen log and gaze up at the sky, waiting and waiting. Sometimes he'd disappear for a week or more, causing her supplies to get dangerously thin. Ami never thought of trying to escape...and oddly, her desire to do so was growing weak. Time kept creeping on, and one day close to Spring, she finally noticed how large her stomach had grown. She had become very big indeed and the weight of the fetus was making her back hurt, but she would spend nights rubbing her belly and now talking to the little one growing inside of her.
Sometimes...she would become afraid again when she allowed her mind to wander to dark places...but tried to ignore it.
Then, it happened. One rainy day as Spring approached ever closer, she awoke to a sudden sensation of warmth gushing down her thighs.
Ami blinked, eyes widening, as a dull pain came across her middle. It felt like one of those annoying cramping sensations you got when lovely Aunt Flo came to visit. At first she didn't move, then quickly she threw the furs aside and examined herself. Her legs were covered in clear fluid, and a puddle had formed near her feet. The dull cramp came again, still mild, but not mistakable.
Oh...oh god... Too soon, it was too soon, wasn't it? How long had it been anyway? Ami couldn't even remember what day it was anymore.
Goliathus?
What? He huffed in irritation, as always, but his quick response was unusual.
I... this baby...too soon, isn't it?
There was a long pause, and then she heard his taloned feet clicking hurriedly in the distance, echoing throughout the cave. In a very short time, he was by her side, crouching next to her.
Felt something?
My water broke. I felt some cramps. But it's too soon, isn't it?
You are in labor. Not too soon, if child comes, it comes.
But...I'm-I'm not prepared! Ami was shaking now, the reality of the situation overwhelming her. She had not even thought much of this day...what would happen, what the child would be like...if she would even survive the whole ordeal.
You are prepared. Child is ready. You are ready. Come, I have nest for you. Give birth there.
He hoisted Ami up into his arms and she could feel his throaty purring vibrating throughout his form, but she could also sense some anxiety. He was happy, elated even, but somewhere he was trying to hide his own concern.
Ami wondered exactly what he was concerned about, as he took her deep into the cave, and put her down onto a huge nest of hay covered in old blankets, all put together in a corner by yet another fire.
Rest Ami. Rest now.
She closed her eyes, feeling another cramp but quite willing to sleep. As she drifted off, a faint grin thinned her lips as it dawned on her that her captor had finally used her name again.
/
Hours later, Ami awoke with a loud groan. The pain in her middle had tripled...maybe even quadrupled, and she grabbed up cloth in her hands, squeezing tightly and stifling a scream. The pain seemed to grow worse and worse, and just when she couldn't bear it not one minute longer, it finally calmed down and gave her a much needed respite. Goliathus was right there hovering over her left side, and shamelessly reaching down to stick a finger inside of her, which was a very unwelcome sensation.
Stop that, you're hurting me!
Feeling for head. Not down yet. It will be a long time still.
Ami groaned again, but this time in disappointment. If this was just the beginning of her labor she was in for a seriously unbearable night. The thought made her wish she could have that thing called an epidural, or even just be mercifully knocked out. But of course she knew that was a far away dream.
Goliathus got up to do something, and Ami immediately tried to stop him by grabbing his arm, but he only pulled away and mumbled something about getting water and rags. The labor pain came back like a wave of iron-tipped needles, poking about her midsection like hot embers and growing and growing until it converged into one huge, intense wave of agony. She cried out loudly, tearing apart the old blanket fibers as her nails dug into them, and gave a great sigh of relief when it finally calmed down again.
But in minutes, it was back, and the process repeated itself over and over. Ami felt sweat pouring down her body, the fire nearby was now making her too hot and she screamed for him to put it out, but Goliathus did not react. He had come back with water and rags, and was now putting the blessedly cold cloths on her forehead and shoulders. Thanking him profusely she made it quite clear he could douse her with the entire jug of creek water and she would kiss the ground he walked on. Still, he made no reaction to her anxious murmurings or shouted commands. Ami's mind was trying to focus on anything, anywhere, or anytime to get her thoughts away from pain, but it was useless.
She screamed to him she couldn't do it anymore, and his only response was to huff at her as if she were acting completely silly.
Somehow, Ami fell into a fitful sleep when the contractions calmed down again. She'd wake some time later, scream some more, then go back to sleep, groaning and rolling her head to the left and right in a vain attempt to get more comfortable.
Her body was absolutely slick with sweat now, and Goliathus seemed quite fascinated. He'd reach down to lick the moisture off of her at times, but Ami hardly seemed to notice.
There was an unknown time of blackness, had she fallen unconscious? As she awoke, groaning again from the increasing pain, she felt familiar pin needles in the brain.
Head is down. Push now.
"I..I..c-can't..." Weak, sweaty, and exhausted, Ami found herself trying to get up but the Creeper urged her back down.
No, push now. You can. You will. Or both of you will die.
The strength was nearly gone from her, but a new labor pain grew, and he pushed down on her belly. Ami screamed at the pressure, but the urge to push grew impossible to resist. She bore down hard, gritting her teeth and reaching to clutch his arms, digging her fingernails deep enough to draw black blood, but he didn't even flinch.
Good. Again.
Ami obeyed, blacking in and out, and feeling new pain in her throat from the hoarseness of screaming. Again she bore down, feeling a ring of fire between her thighs, and cried out even louder. The labor pain was so intense, and came only seconds apart. She pushed and pushed, feeling more and more strength ebb out of her.
Goliathus growled lightly, supported her up on his knee. He reached into her, tugging on the head, and Ami could only give a weak moan. She wanted to keep pushing, but she couldn't. Her body felt like lead.
You must not quit!
I'm too tired, I..so thirsty..I...just...can't...
She felt him bring a cold tin cup to her lips and she managed to get a few gulps of the refreshing water. It seemed to give her that small burst of energy that she needed. But she knew she only had one more push left in her, and that was it.
The pain grew and peaked. She bore down, as hard as she could muster, putting every last bit of energy her body had to offer into it. It was long, drawn out, lasting several seconds.
It felt as if a damn broke. There was a distinct squishing sound and an odd sensation as if a ten pound weight and had been lifted off her belly, along with more fluid gushing from her and soaking the hay beneath.
Several seconds of utter silence.
Then a high pitched wail, echoing in its hiccuping, rapid bursts of breath as the sound filled the cavern. It was a symphony that caused the heradus to roar out in victory.
Ami was still barely conscious, but she managed to look down. Through hazy eyes she saw the tiny form writhing about in the mess of fluids near her thighs, felt a little foot kick her as it flailed about.
Hungry. Very hungry. Feed him now. The Creeper's elation and utter triumph were seeping into his mindvoice.
Him?
Yes... he purred. Child is male.
Ami smiled faintly, and it seemed he smiled right back at her.
Can I think of a name for him?
I care not. Feed him now. Is very hungry.
Ami was grateful for his help as he moved her into a sitting position. Suddenly she moaned in pain again as she felt another contraction. He told her to push, looking very, very eager in quite a disturbing way as he looked on. Ami grunted, trying her best and then with a terrible cramp there was something else that slipped out of her. It didn't take long to figure out that it was the placenta, and it took even less time for the Creeper to snatch it up, cutting the cord with this teeth and slurping the whole thing down like a delicate Hors d'œuvre. Ami tried to hide her disgust, but gratefully a squirmy bundle wrapped in old rags was handed to her minutes later.
/
Ami had been so exhausted that she had passed out into dreamless sleep, and awoke some unknown amount of time later with a start. Never in her life had she felt so absolutely drained, both physically and mentally. Her head throbbed with a dull ache, and her mouth was uncomfortably dry. Not only was she thirsty, but her appetite had returned full force. It took a few more minutes of fuzzy consciousness to register a strange sensation at her chest, somewhat sore and uncomfortable. She looked down to see the newborn tucked into the crook of her left arm and latched onto her breast. He was fussy, constantly moving, either kicking out a little leg or making various noises while he fed.
For a long time she simply stared at him. The little one had light grey skin, similar to his father, but smoother. There were small, underdeveloped wings pressed on its back and little bumpy ridges on the bald head. But his face...so round and pudgy, had big, golden eyes set into it...eyes that finally fluttered and looked up at her. Ami felt her heart melting.
Hello there.
The baby squealed and rubbed at its head with tiny hands, but the effect was brief.
Pet, do not mind speak to the child. Too young. Painful.
Oh...sorry. I didn't even think about that. He's adorable, you know. Ami smiled to herself, as she cuddled him closer to her chest. The feelings bubbling up inside of her were overwhelming, this was love like she had never known before.
I suppose so. This is a human word...adorable. He huffed.
Well, what word would you use? She looked around for Goliathus, but he seemed to be somewhere far back into his feeding chambers, an area she had still not seen, much to her great appreciation.
Strong. Will be a good hunter.
Ami sighed, all of her happy feelings vanishing. So, what are you telling me? That you will raise him to slaughter humans, just as you do?
Why shouldn't I? Is my child.
You said I would raise him.
Yes. Breeder feeds child, tends to his needs. But father is teacher. Hm?
Ami trembled with the anger and frustration coming back to her in droves. So you'll turn him into a human killer and what then? He'll be cursed like you? This is what you want? To have him cursed to sleep for many years at a time and have a never-ending hunger that is pain?
She heard him coming then, and with unwanted fear of him that still remained, shrank a little farther back into her corner, clutching the infant more tightly.
Goliathus came up close, kneeling, and getting right into her face. Ami couldn't help it as the fear only grew.
Yes fear me, pathetic human. Because what do you know? You get angry, you say things as if I am human. But I am not human. I do not care about what you think, or what you want. You are here only to breed, and to do whatever I tell you. Do you understand this?
Ami wanted to say so many things, but the words died in her mind, and fresh tears came pouring down her face.
When this child is old enough, he will spend more time with me, and he will learn. He will hunt. If he becomes human killer, I do not care. I will show him how to use weapons. How to torture. Humans are worthless, pathetic, and annoying creatures. Always talking. Always asking questions.
Killers of everything. You weep, but you are a killer, just like me.
He paused, and finally, Ami managed to say something. Her words were small and utterly miserable, even in her mind. So I'm really nothing to you? Just...nothing?
Nothing is how I felt, by human hands. Does it displease you? Good. Then you know how it feels. I have not tortured you physically...though many times I have greatly longed to do so. I cannot stand your human voice. I want to hate everything about you. But...
B-but...?
You...have been different. It has surprised me. Your actions, your behavior...strange for human. Not at all the same. Normally I would not care. But you are different. I still long to hate you. To cause you great pain, to torment you. But this hatred does not come.
Despite the frightening nature of this speech, his mindvoice was softening. Mouse. Little pet, you are different.
Ami was confused. Was he trying to tear down her will, or attempting to show some amount of compassion for her?
Well...then...you can trust me, can't you?
Trust you to do what?
To not...betray you? To not do what those other humans did to you? That story you won't tell me? She wiped the tears from her eyes roughly, trying to compose herself. Shifting around a bit she made herself sit up straighter. I don't think you really understand yet, Goliathus. Pausing, she sighed, looking down at the warm little bundle tucked into her arms who had now fallen asleep with his little hands curled against his chest. I don't hate you, you're right about that. But I've never hated you, and believe me, there were plenty of times I could have! You tore me away from everything in my human life...and I wanted to hate you for that most of all.
She stopped briefly, as she noticed she had his rapt attention. He had crouched low with his wings half-open and curled about, and continued to stare at her.
But then...but then I thought back on my life. I really had no life, if you think about it. I was a hermit living all alone in a cabin in some remote area of upstate New York, and the only real friends I had were a couple of penpals from far away states or countries that I never go to. I was incredibly lonely, although I could never admit that to myself. I had trouble with relationships due to bad experiences with men in my past. Then you came. I knew nothing but fear for a long time but you were...and are...such a fascinating creature and I longed to know more about you., And then when you started talking about this cathedral, and the fact that you once protected someone or something, I knew this was not the real you. I saw something different too, Goliathus...in you. I know I'm not wrong. You don't like to admit it, but you are protecting me, guarding me, like you once did long ago. I mean with Ruddy and George it became clear that-
You are a rare breeder, too important to lose. I had to get them out of the way. Do not fool yourself, human. I am not your guardian.
Maybe not officially. But it's a deep set instinct, isn't it?
He growled, and although she expected him to up and leave, he didn't. His eyes shifted to the infant.
You have named him? He asked, abruptly changing the subject.
No, I...I haven't yet. But his golden eyes, they remind me of the sun. Her eyes widened.
Wait. I do have a name.
He cocked his head. She looked past him, out the mouth of the cave's entrance, to see the sun's rays peering from the crest of the trees.
Solarus.
He grinned in response and reached out with both arms. Ami gently handed the sleeping infant towards him. For several long minutes he sniffed the air around the little one, especially around its neck. The baby woke slowly, blinking and meeting his gaze, and then there was the tiniest snuffing sounds as Ami realized, with growing amazement, that the child was smelling him as well.
Solarus is a good name. A heradus name.
Are there are other names...that you remember? Ami blinked at him, hoping to tease out just a little more information if she could get it. He did not answer.
Who..is this Barabas? She asked softly, gently rocking Solarus as he started to fuss. The heradus snarled, flexing claws and sucking on his teeth.
You will be a good mother. He said, changing the subject abruptly...again. Very different, as I've said. He got up, gazing down at her for a while then turned to leave. Time for hunting. Talking is over.
Ami sighed, shaking her head. Of course. You don't want to answer me, so you walk away.
I tire of talking after a time.
Don't you think, that after all you've been put me through, that I could at least get a few more questions answered? It's like you never even heard anything I said to you. She was looking at him forlornly, as if she might burst into tears at any moment.
He sighed, a huge heaving breath that made her feel as if she were simply wasting his time, and he was just tolerating the whole situation like a parent trying to endure a child's temper tantrum. Fine. Ask some questions, and I will answer. Try to, anyway. But the hunger is annoying me.
Ok, understood. She smiled at him, happy to be finally getting through to him, or at least it seemed that way. Who is this...Barabas you spoke of?
Priest.
Okay, elaborate a little more, would you?
The Creeper eyed her, falling silent for several minutes. Then he seemed to make up his mind, settling down near her again, and this time eying some bones that were strewn about the cave floor. He grabbed one and started chewing on it. It seemed to calm his nerves.
He is a priest, who lived in the cathedral.
The one you guarded.
No, not really. I did not guard the cathedral so much as I guarded his daughter.
Oh? Ami blinked, her curiosity and fascination intensely growing at these words. And...? What kind of relationship did you have with this daughter? Was she afraid of you?
No. She was much like you. More fascinated than afraid.
/
End Chapter 6 The Creeper hungers for flesh, I hunger for reviews. Not much difference, is there? ;) More soon, had a bit of trouble figuring out a scene in the story, ended up deleting the entire thing and going in a different direction. I hope you will enjoy some surprises coming up next!